Aristobulus II

Josephus, the main narrative source, calls Aristobulus active and bold, where his elder brother Hyrcanus II preferred a quiet life (Josephus, Antiquities 13.407). After their mother’s death he defeated Hyrcanus near Jericho and became king and high priest (Josephus, Antiquities 14.4–7). He reigned three years and three months (Josephus, Antiquities 20.243–244).

When Pompey marched on Jerusalem, Aristobulus offered to surrender the city, could not make his soldiers comply, and was arrested. After the temple mount fell he was taken to Rome with his children (Josephus, Antiquities 14.54–57, 79). Julius Caesar released him at the start of the civil war and meant to send him to Syria with two legions, but Pompey’s supporters poisoned him first (Josephus, Antiquities 14.123–124). That was in 49 BC. His son Antigonus was the last Hasmonean king; see Herod the Great Becomes King of Judea.